Already a benchmark in SMS and mobile Internet solutions for the banking industry, Sybase 365 now offers a downloadable near-field communications-compatible client.

Leveraging its existing Sybase mBanking 365 platform with the help of C-SAM's mobile transaction platform, Sybase's new solution enables retail and commercial banks worldwide to offer mobile banking services through SMS, WAP and a downloadable Java client.

"With mobile banking continuing to gain popularity around the globe, providing convenience and flexibility to financial institutions and their customers is crucial," said Matthew Talbot, vice president of mcommerce at Sybase 365, a Dublin, CA-based subsidiary of Sybase Inc.

"Consumers have become increasingly sophisticated and are demanding easier access to a broad array of financial services through new channels such as mobile," he said. "Sybase 365 can offer financial institutions a one-stop shop for mobile banking services."

Per its partnership with C-SAM, Sybase 365 can now provide a single integrated solution, whether a bank is looking for SMS messaging capabilities, a mobile Internet browser service or a high-end client solution ready for NFC transactions.

C-SAM enables secure mobile phone-based transactions, including mobile banking, bill payments, money transfers, person-to-person payments, ticketing, coupons, loyalty, stored value, advertising, NFC-based proximity transactions and other value added services for banks, operators and merchants.

"The mobile industry has been talking about mobile banking services and mobile payments for more than 10 years now," Mr. Talbot said. "In 2008 we will see financial institutions finally start to fully exploit the potential of mcommerce."

Sybase mBanking 365 powers real-time interaction between financial institutions and customers with mobile alerts, two-way banking and payments services via SMS, WAP and client-based protocols and security enhancement applications such as two-factor authentication. It supports natural language technology using the Answers 365 service, enabling customers to interact and access services intuitively via SMS, without the need to memorize set keywords.

Sybase clients include Citibank and MasterCard.

The new Sybase offering also powers mobile marketing campaigns.

"Sybase mBanking 365 allows banks to undertake mobile marketing to their customer base," Mr. Talbot said. "Additionally, mobile banking is another example of consumers adopting mobile tools and using their mobile devices for more than just talking on the phone."